Reforestation and Land Reform in Cabo Verde 1981

Photos by Frits Eisenloeffel

Journalist Frits Eisenloeffel travelled to Guinea and Cabo Verde in August-September 1981 to report on the developments since independence in 1974. On the Isle of São Antão he photographed a reforestation project in which pine-trees are planted on mountains to prevent erosion.

On the same island he took photos of government officials João Pereira Silva (minister of agriculture) and Ovidio Fernandes (party chef of Ribeira Grande) explaining the unpopular plans for socialist land reforms to the people in a public meeting in Ribeira Grande. These meetings were held after the PAIGC (Partido Africano da Independência de Guiné e Cabo Verde) lost support of the people of Cabo Verde when one person was killed and two people were wounded by PAIGC troops during protests on São Antão.